New Survey: Majority of Eligible Older Americans View Coverage of GLP-1s as a Top Priority, yet 82% are Unaware of New Medicare Obesity Program
Washington, D.C. — Today, the Obesity Care Advocacy Network (OCAN) released new survey data revealing powerful motivation for Medicare Part D plans to participate in the upcoming Centers for Medicare and Medicaid BALANCE (Better Approaches to Lifestyle and Nutrition for Comprehensive Health) Model. The poll of over 2,130 older Americans over the age of 65 highlights a critical awareness gap: while millions of older Americans medically qualify for weight management, the vast majority remain unaware of a new program that will, for the first time ever, provide an opportunity to access FDA-approved obesity medications.
The survey found that more than one-quarter of older Americans (27%) have already been told by a health professional that they medically qualify for weight management. Despite this clear clinical need, 82% of all older Americans remain unaware that obesity medications will be made available under the Administration’s new BALANCE model.
“Our findings make it clear that older Americans are not only ready for better access to obesity care and treatment—they are actively seeking it,” said Cristy Gallagher, Coordinator of the Obesity Care Advocacy Network. “As the BALANCE model enrollment deadline approaches, Part D plans have a significant opportunity—and responsibility—to meet this demand and sign up to participate. Older Americans have been waiting too long for access to medications that will address this chronic disease. They will finally have a chance—but only if their Part D plans participate.”
The survey reveals that access to obesity medications is already a primary driver of enrollment decisions. Among older Americans who have been told by a doctor that they qualify for medical weight management, nearly 60% are actively considering switching their Medicare Part D plan to access this coverage.
Key Findings Include:
A Staggering Awareness Gap: 82% of older Americans do not know that Medicare is launching a program to enable access to obesity medication.
High Clinical Demand: Over 1 in 4 older Americans have been told by a doctor that their BMI or a related condition (such as heart disease or pre-diabetes) qualifies them for medical help with weight management.
Medical Parity: Nearly three-fourths (74%) of medically eligible older Americans view GLP-1 coverage as a top-tier health priority.
The "Quality" Benchmark: One-third of all older Americans use obesity care as a primary benchmark for whether a Medicare plan is "high quality."
Priority Transcends Party: 67% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans view Medicare coverage of obesity treatments as a high-priority issue.
With the participation deadline for Part D plans to join BALANCE rapidly approaching, the survey provides important information about how older Americans prioritize plan coverage in their decision-making.
Complete survey results are available at: https://obesitycareadvocacynetwork.com/news-resources/medicare-obesity-care-access-poll
Survey infographic is available at: https://obesitycareadvocacynetwork.com/news-resources/the-medicare-awareness-gap-infographic
Visit OCAN for additional information about the BALANCE model.